Lotoja 2007 - He did it!

I wanted to get the below photo's posted as soon as possible so I could show you all how proud I am of Kenyon - but I didn't have time to post details of the event, so here you go!

For those of you not familiar with the Lotoja - it's is a annual race sponsored by the Huntsman Cancer Society. The race is 206 miles form Logan, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. They way they describe it is "1000 riders, 206 miles, 3 states, 1 day!" The cyclists ride in Utah, Idaho and Wyoming.

Kenyon had been training for this race since about April when he fully commited by registering. The Lotoja only allows 1000 riders, so all those that are interested, are really committed, because many riders don't get registered in time. Needless to say, I've been a cyclist widow nights and weekends for several months. When we attended the Support Crew meeting, which was held at the Hunstman Cancer institute a couple of months ago - they recommended that if riders were interested in the riding the Lotoja, they might be interested in visiting the Psych ward before they headed out that evening. This comment got a lot of laughs - but now I seriously know why they say that... read on..

The race started at sunrise cyclery in Logan, and Kenyon's start time was 7:34 a.m.
Kenyon did great on the first leg - pulling into Preston- that first leg is relatively flat and only about 34 miles. When Kenyon pulled into Preston, he was doing great. He was ahead of his time and had shaken off the nerves within the first 20 miles or so. While Alex and I waited for his arrival - we saw two riders crash into each other and skid across the pavement! It was a total "le tour" moment..

The second leg of the race was from Preston to Montpelier, Idaho. Kenyon had trained on this leg the week before, so he was familiar with it and knew what to expect. This leg is 46 miles but it has 21 miles of uphill climbing and then a super fast downhill. Kenyon did great on this leg as well - he ended up in Montpelier before his planned arrival time. At this point in the race - cyclists were dropping like flies.

Another funny thing that happened at this feed zone... when Alex and I arrived - there were volunteer support crew in the road, they were yelling to the riders "cows on the road". I however, thought they were saying "Calzone the road" which was so weird to me, because that is totally not the type of food you'd give a rider on his way to climb the "king of the mountain". Alex then explained to me that they were referring to wildlife, not to delicious italian pizza benders. Then it made more sense.

The next leg was the hardest 45 miles of the race. This leg is from Montpelier to Afton, Wyoming and there are some really steep grades. This is where they crown the "king of the mountain". We loaded Kenyon up with water, grapes and nuts before the King of the Mountain segment, but somehow on his way up and over, he got really sick and ended up in Afton 30 minutes after his planned arrival time. He was feeling really weak, but only because of his stomach - His legs were still feeling good. Since he arrived at the Afton Feed Zone so late, Alex and I just stayed with him for the next 4 hours.

Kenyon started to get a little discouraged on the segment of the mountain between Alpine and Hoback Junction. Picture this - it's getting darker, your feeling sick, can't keep food or water down and there aren't a lot of other riders around. By the time we hit the Snake River Canyon it was pitch black. Now remember, this is not a closed course race so.. it's pitch black, Kenyon has no lights on his bike, we are shining our headlights on him going about 20 miles an hour, cars are speeding past on the left, and on the right is a giant cliff into the Snake River.. I hated this part - I'm not gonna lie! But he made it to Hoback Junction!

By this point - he's 190 miles into it and still riding. Keep in mind that because we are in Wyoming, it's now hit the low 40's and Kenyon is wearing his cycling stuff - so, in my opinion - he might as well be naked... We stopped at Hoback Junction, got him a sweatshirt and some glowsticks, loaded him up on Ibuprofen and he only had about 10 miles to go! I would love to have bodily forced him into the car at Hoback, but he REALLY wanted to finish the race!

About 2 miles back into the ride - Kenyon was riding alongside the car - holding onto the bike with his left hand and holding onto the jeep with his right hand...Along the way, Alex and I are talking to him through the window encouraging him and telling what a great job he's doing. Now this is the part that will make you both laugh and cry... As we are driving along - he looks at Alex and says (in a voice that sounds like he's about 7 years old) "do I have my helmet on". Alex looks out at him and says "yeah bud, you do". And Kenyon responds "Ok- I can't remember". Alex and I just looked at each other and wanted to cry.

Kenyon arrived in Jackson about 1.5 hours after they had closed the race, but he made it! He arrived in Jackson at 9:30 p.m. 14 hours after his 7:34 start time.

I will say that I'm so super impressed and proud of him for riding this race. I'm so amazed at his stamina and resiliance! I'm also SOOO glad I got to be there as part of his support team! He's my hero!

Make sure you check out the photo's below - Hopefully, this gives you a good feel for what it was like! Enjoy!

Loto Photo's

Laughter IS the Best Medicine... and I'm not even sick!!

I don't do this nearly often enough, but tonight I went to dinner with several very dear friends. If memory served us correctly (ok Sarah's memory) we haven't all been together since a year ago! It's as difficult as can be for us to all get our schedules coordinated - but it's well worth it!

We had a few laughes before Lisa showed up, but then she reminded us why she is the life of the party! This group is a little random at this point, but it all started with a little company... you might know it as G.E. At one point or another each of us has worked there... all in HR, but not all at the same time! We still click, just like old times.

Several key moments of the evening consisted of the server Erin trying to get my "lame-broken camera" to take a picture - it finally happened, but she had to do it upside-down.. which is why Shons face is covered with the wrong date. Don't let the date fool you - it was actually taken on September 6, 2007 not on New Years Day of 2003... That's why the camera has the official nickname of "lame broken camera". I had to do some manipulating to get it to turn right-side up, but I thought that was easier than having you turn your monitor upside-down, so.... Your Welcome!

I left behind my beloved napkin with all of my notes of what I wanted to blog about the evening - but if I remember right, I recall "ma'am - do you have bottoms on?" No. This was not a question directed at Lisa...
I also remember another Lisa classic when she asked Jenny "are they LDS Vampires?" with regard to a book that Jenny is reading about Vampires... Wow - she really needs some home teachers doesn't she? JK Lis!! And finally, I don't think any of us will ever think the same about being "itchy"... nuff said!

The one and only!

Here are a few photo's of these great people - I love them all and am so glad that everyone once in awhile, we make it a priority to squish (or as Lisa would say "LICK") old friends! Love you all! (By the way Lis.. this is the picture I posted of you on LDS Singles.. You should be hearing from "P-Shoe" within the next day or so... You are so welcome... don't even mention it!)

And - thanks little pregnant SBURT for comin' to town, and giv'n us a reason to "partay".

Sarah, Lisa, Shon, Zirka, Jenny, Alice and the KTizzle!

Summers End!

Over Labor Day weekend and in preparation for Kenyon's big race next Saturday, we took off to Preston, Idaho for the weekend. We camped along the Bear River about 6 miles Northeast of Preston. Why Preston, Idaho... you might ask? No- it's not because we are huge Napoleon Dynamite fans.. The reason, is because there is a really steep 25 mile 7% grade hill that Kenyon will be riding next week. This hill is one of the harder hills in the Lotoja race. Kenyon wanted to get himself prepared - so off we went.. Alex - brought a couple of his best gals.. I mean pals... along and we had a great weekend.

See photo's below the first photo is Kenyon prepping for his big ride... the 2nd photo is Kenyon after the big ride.. Hmmm - I wonder if he'll burn off that "Rulon Gardener Burger" during his 208 mile race next Saturday? That's quite a training diet you've got going there!

Ladies - let me ask you a question.. What does your husband do when you go on a family camping trip? Fishing, whittling, or maybe hiking? How about shaving his legs around the campfire? Yep - My hero!

A picture of the kids having so much fun camping! Tanner camp-outs are always the best! Poor little punkins... just got all tuckered out!! Yep - that's Lu asleep on Al asleep on Melisa! ZZZzzzzZZZZzzzz

River fun on the Bear River! What an adventure... all was well - until I didn't try to avoid a rock.. I was the only one that got dumped all day! Good thing no one had a camera handy!

Finally - Roasting marshmallows... Lu pretty much just sticks them in the flame - lights 'em on fire and makes Alex eat them. Don't you love her roaster?... she didn't even take the time to strip the leaves off! That girl is funny!

We made it home from our trip safe and sound and we had such a great time! We need to do it way more often! Next week is Kenyons big race so expect to hear updates real soon! Everyone wish him luck!